Despite my days as drum major of my high school marching band and a dancer for a semi-professional football team, I'm not much of a fan of football. I do, however, love any reason to get together with friends and family, so I've been known to put up with the actual game for social reasons. Unfortunately, these gatherings tend to be accompanied by high-calorie food and drinks. Below are some suggestions to turning around your tailgate and/or game-watching party.

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Grilled vegetables

You know that small window when grilling season and football season overlap? That is the perfect time to grill up some vegetables. Try skewering them for easier handling (yes, skewering is a word, I looked it up). Check out eatingwell.com for tips on how to grill veggies!

Roasted pumpkin seeds

It's Fall (which I love), and it seems like every year there are more & more things to do with pumpkins. But what do you do with the seeds? Why not try roasting them with some garlic powder or your favorite seasoning? They make a great snack and even better, did you know that just a quarter cup of toasted pumpkin seeds has 46% of your daily value of magnesium? They are also full of phytosterol, which are compounds that help reduce LDL cholesterol levels.

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Edamame

You don't have to feel guilty about eating a whole bowl - edamame is high in protein (8 grams per ½ cup, PLUS 4 grams of fiber), making it an ideal choice for getting your daily protein. You can get them frozen in most grocery stores - just steam and toss with salt!

glennys.com

Glenny's soy crisps

Forget the potato chips and Doritos - you can eat a half a bag of Glenny's Soy Crisps without guilt. You also get 5 grams of protein! The are certainly crispy, but watch out for the sodium content - nearly triple that of ordinary potato chips, so maybe not the best choice for those watching their salt intake.

popchips.com

Popchips

If soy crisps aren't your thing, go for all-natural Popchips. They have no fake colors or preservatives and since they're popped, not fried, they have all of the flavor and less than half the fat of a fried chip. Plus they come in fun game-time flavors!

thedish.restaurant.com

Guacamole

Next time you pick up a (baked) tortilla chip, go for the guacamole instead of the cheese dip. Unlike cheese dip, which is loaded with fat, sodium and artificial ingredients, guacamole is actually good for you! Make your own fresh guacamole with avocados, tomatoes, minced onion, cilantro, lime juice and salt & pepper. Add some Greek yogurt to make it creamy!

sfappeal.com

Salted nuts

Although high in calories, nuts give you so much more bang for your buck than chips or pretzels in the "salty snack category", specifically pistachios. Not only are pistachios a top pick for taste, but they're also packed with protein and fiber to keep you feeling fuller longer. Plus, the shells offer a visual cue to help you eat less. In fact, people eat about 50% fewer in-shell pistachios compared with shelled pistachios and report feeling just as satisfied.

carlagoldenwellness.com

Fruit salad

For those of you with a sweet tooth, fruit salad is a great choice! Buy whatever is in season for the freshest fruit, cut it up and mix it together! It's delicious and keeps you feeling full!

perpetuallychic.com

Veggies and hummus

Skip the ranch dressing and dip your veggies in some hummus. Made with low-fat, protein-packed chick peas, hummus is a healthy dip alternative. Tribe Hummus is a great pick for its natural ingredients. You can even go "all out" and serve up adorable veggie/hummus cups like the ladies at Perpetually Chic!

Healthy alternatives to fan favorites

Swap wings for chicken tenders and you'll get more protein and fewer calories. Serve them carrots and celery on the side too! A tubful of takeout chicken wings can be up to 1,000 calories, but this guiltless version contains just over 200 calories.